INCIDKNT IN THE HISTORY OF AMPULEX COMPRKSSUM. '227 



recruits for inspection ; and I liad'nt a naoment to myself, and 

 I was properly savage. Looking about my room to vent ray 

 rage upon something, 1 saw a brown something disappear 

 round a corner, and thinking it was a snake I got up to do 

 for him, with a hearty good will. I was surprised to find it 

 was a common cockroach, in tow of one of those green wasps 

 that we saw throwing those ferocious red and black ants off 

 a tree in the Fulla Road. Well, as the cockroach was ever 

 so much bigger and heavier than the wasp, I was a bit 

 surprised to see how easily Mr. Wasp seemed to be hauling 

 him along, and I was curious to find out how and why he did 

 it; so I watched him carefully. He had dragged the cock- 

 roach all across my room, over the threshold, and out into the 

 verandah, when he lei go of his viclira ; and, going to a small 

 hole, carefully measured the size every way, then weut inside 

 for inspection, and eventually returned to the cockroach, who, 

 strange to say, quietly awaited the return of Mr. Wasp, who 

 now began his preparations for taking the cockroach in tow ; 

 and this is how he managed it. He got hold of the cock- 

 roach's feelers, — you know the things I mean, like two long 

 hairs sticking out of his nose, or wherever he may be pleased to 

 carry them; then the wasp with his mandibles got hold of 

 one of the feelers, and began to pull the cockroach ; but a bit 

 of the feeler broke off; and the cockroach, instead of trying 

 to bolt, stopped still and twitched all over, as much as to say 

 this is more familiar than pleasant. Well, Mr. Wasp got a 

 good grip of the cockroach, and began to pull him into the 

 hole head foremost: the cockroach allowed him to get his 

 head in, and then, evidently finding the quarters unhealthy 

 and a bit cramped, began to back out vigorously. But it was 

 no go; the wasp had him light, and began pulling with a 

 will. But presently Mr. Wasp found his victim was stuck 

 fast, and he was unable to draw him in ; so he in)mediately 

 set to work to drive out liis victim, the victim aiding him in 

 his endeavours with the most hearty co-operation ; and very 

 shortly the cockroach was free, and at large. Having backed 

 about two inches from the hole he very foolishly stopped 

 slock still, and gazed at Mr. Wasp busily engaged in 

 enlarging the hole. Having finished the hole, and finding it 

 to his satisfaction, he quietly got hold of the cockroach by 

 his feelers, and again began to drag him in : it was " a long 

 pull and a strong pull," but not quite together; as the cock- 

 roach said to himself " This is my last chance, and Providence 

 won't come to help me again." Alas ! for him, he was quite 



